MDC scholars program picks Rolanda Schand

Miami — Rolanda Schand, a student at Miami Dade College’s Homestead Campus and president of the Student Government Association, was recently selected to participate in Opportunity Nation’s Opportunity Leaders and Scholars Program. The Opportunity Nation Scholars program is a national network of vocal advocates with personal experience facing barriers to opportunity and a track record of making meaningful change in their respective communities.

Opportunity Scholars such as Schand are promising young activists who work tirelessly to promote their vision of the American Dream. They will serve as community mobilizers by lending their insight to Opportunity Nation’s policy agenda. Schand recently participated in a leadership institute during the organization’s national summit held in New York City. To be considered for the program, Schand had to explain why economic opportunity in America is meaningful to her and describe the barriers facing her local community and what she’s doing to combat these challenges.

“We are very proud of Rolanda,” said Dr. Jeanne F. Jacobs, president of MDC’s Homestead Campus. “She is doing an outstanding job as this year’s Student Government Association president, and I am pleased to support educational opportunities that increase her involvement and development as a leader.”

There is more MDC representation among Opportunity Nation’s programs, as Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, the College president, also serves on the Leadership Council of Opportunity Nation, which represents a cadre of diverse leaders and iconic Americans who are lending their names and voices to this effort.

As part of Opportunity Nation’s campaign, Schand participated in conference calls on policy and grassroots mobilization leading up to the summit, attended a leadership training in New York City during the organization’s annual summit, hosted a dialogue/house party on opportunity in her Miami-Dade community, and led a community effort to ensure that increasing opportunity is a major issue in the 2012 Presidential Campaign.

A native of Queens, NY, Schand started to make an impact in her community at a young age. Throughout her academic years, she was actively involved in clubs and her peers nominated her “Most Likely to Succeed.” When she enrolled at MDC, Schand soon became a fixture among student leadership circles. Last summer she was on the list to receive the Gold Presidential Scholar Award, and this past spring she was elected SGA campus president.

ON THE NET For more information about Opportunity Nation’s Opportunity Leaders and Scholars Program visit opportunitynation.org